Production of plaited material



Aug. 18, 1942. w. H. CANNARDI PRODUCTION OF PLAITED MATERIAL Filed Oct. 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mam A QLH I Aug. 18, 1942. w. H. CANNARD PRODUCTION OF PLAITED MATERIAL Filed Oct. 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRODUCTION OF PLAITED MATERIAL William H. Cannard, Green Bay, Wis. Application October 20, 1936, Serial No. 106,687

8 Claims.

This f invention relates to the production of plaited material, particularly paper, for the purpose of making the same highly elastic and capable of withstanding considerable stress and strain without breaking.

The general object of the invention is to provide for the formation of creased and flattened plaits of regular form, and to" accomplish this in a continuous operation as the material leaves corrugatingmechanism.

It has hitherto been proposed to form plaited paper, or light material by passing a web of the material between corrugating elements which form the material into rounded longitudinal corrugations, and then'pas'sing the material between pressing rolls'which's'erve to crush the corrugations into more or less flattened form. Such practice. 'is shown in' my prior Patent No. 1,716,260, dated June 4, 1929, and in my copending application Serial No; 106,683, filed October 20, 1936, now Patent No. 2,182,720; dated Decemher 5, 1939. There the web of material is corrugated by means of traveling coacting sets of belts, while in other types of machines corrugating mechanism of other forms are employed.

While the practice just referred to is satisfactory in many instances, the final formation of the plaits from the corrugations cannot be controlled. The result is that the final plaits are irregular in form and vary considerably in width.

This difficulty is overcome by the presentinvention by so carrying out the creasing, folding and flattening of the initially formed corrugations that the plaits in the flnishedmaterial are entirelyregular 'and'uniform throughout their length. a l

I makeuse of special plaiting mechanism for acting on the corrugated web, the same being ing mechanism, preferably but not necessarily coacting sets of traveling belts, which will narrow and form the same intolongitudinal corrugations; the web will then be passed through mechanism which will crease the same and form plaits therein; and, thereafter the web will pass through pressing mechanism which will serve to finally set the plaits. After emerging from the third stage the material may be passed over drying rolls in the event it be treated while wet, and if desired otherloperations such as transverse creping or embossing may be performed thereon.

The plaiting of the web according to the invention may be done through the use of specially formed.- plaiting plates, a combination of creasing rolls and plaiting plates, or in some cases by creasing and plaiting rolls, all of which possibilities are illustrated and hereafter described.

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of a plaited web as produced under the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates one adaptation of the invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections taken the indicated points on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 illustrates'another adaptation of the invention wherein the plaiting mechanism involves specially formed rolls;

Figs. '6, 7; and 8 show different arrangements of the plaiting rolls as used in Fig. 5, and other embodimentsof the invention;

Fig. 9 illustrates a still further adaptation of the invention employing the arrangement of plaiting rolls of Fig. 8, and showing a different arrangement of the pressing rolls in relation to the plaiting rolls from that found in Fig. 5.

Instead of performing the creasing and plaiting of the corrugated web by the use of the plait forming plates an arrangement is employed in the intermediate stage between the corrugating mechanism and the pressing rolls, according to which the web is'first creased and subsequently flattened along the crease lines. In the embodiment ofthe invention shownin Fig. 2 the corrugating mechanism comprises upper and lower sets of travelingbelts 42 and 43 which run over upper and lower shives 44 and 45. Only the terminal shives of the corrugating mechanism are illustrated, and it is assumed that the corrugating operation has been completed when the web arranged flat-surfaced channels 48. The lower roll 49a is provided with a series of ribs 50 of rectangular cross-section which coact with channels 48 of the upper roll. Located in the spaces between the successive ribs 50 and in slightly spaced relation to such ribs are other ribs of curved cross-section which coact with the grooved members 4! of the upper roll. The manner of creasing and shaping the web by coaction of rolls 46a and 49a will be apparent from Fig. 6.

In Fig. 7 the upper roll 46a is identical with the corresponding roll in Fig. 6. The lower roll 4% is, however, different in construction from the corresponding roll 49a, being arranged so that the lower set of traveling belts of the corrugating mechanism may continue with the web through the creasing operation. Instead of having the rounded ribs 5| between the ribs 50 the roll 4% is provided with a series of grooves 52 for the reception of the lower set of traveling corrugating belts here designated by the numeral 53. It will be evident by comparison of Fig. 7 with the Fig. 6 that the belts 53 present a surface to the web and coact with grooves 4'! of the upper roll 46a as in the case of ribs 5|.

In Fig. 8, arrangement is made to extend both the upper and lower sets of traveling belts of the corrugating mechanism through the creasing stage. The arrangement of the lower roll 49b is the same as in Fig. 7. The upper roll 45b is, however, different from the roll 46a as shown in the arrangement of Figs. 6 and 7 in that the recesses between the grooved members 41 are themselves provided with grooves 54, which receive the upper set of corrugating belts here designated as 55.

With the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 it is substantially immaterial Whether the number of corrugations formed in the corrugation stage are the same in number as the creased plaits formed by the coacting rolls 46a and 49a, it being important only that sufficient material be gathered in the corrugating stage to permit the formation of the desired plaits without transverse strain on or rupture of the web as it is engaged by the creasing rolls. The arrangement of the creasing rolls in both Figs. '7 and 8, is particularly adapted to produce creased plaits of the same number as the corrugations formed by the coacting sets of belts, as the belts are employed on the rolls as an essential part of the crease forming mechanism. The main purpose of carrying either or both of the upper and lower sets of the belts over the creasing rolls is to preserve the corrugations and prevent spreading of the web during the passage from the corrugating mechanism proper to the creasing rolls.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the form of creasing rolls 46b and 49b is that of Fig. 8, wherein both the upper and lower sets of corrugating belts 42 and 43 are carried around the corresponding creasing rolls.

It will be understood from Fig. 8 that the grooved members 4! 0n the upper roll tend to partially flatten out the alternate corrugations whose hollow sides face downwardly, and in coaction with the flat ribs 50 of the lower roll produce creases. The ribs 50 in coaction with the upper set of belts cause the corrugations whose hollow side faces upwardly to be deformed and creased along the edges of ribs 59. The creasing action of the equivalent rolls also illustrated will then pass between upper and lower plates 56 and 5'! which serve to flatten the plaits along the crease lines. Since the creasing has been completed and the plaits formed, although not flattened, by the time the Web reaches the plates, the latter can be made in a form wherein the upper plate 56 will be provided with a series of ribs 58 having enlarged flat ends 59, one of such ribs being provided to enlarge each of the curved and rectangular plaited areas as produced by the creasing rolls. The lower plate 51 will be provided with a series of ribs 60 having curved end 7 portions 6!, one of such ribs 60 being arranged opposite every alternate rib 58 of the upper plate. From a comparison of Fig. 3, which shows the construction of the plates adjacent the inlet ends, with Fig. 4, which shows the outlet end, it will be observed that the surfaces 6| of the lower ribs become gradually wider and flatten out, and at the same time increase in depth. The gradual transition of the creased web from the form produced in the creasing stage of Figs. 6, 7 or 8, to flatten plaits in the outlet end of the plates 56 and 51 can be understood by comparing the figures just referred to with Figs. 3' and 4.

' After leaving the plait-forming stage the web will pass through the last operating stage, comprising press rolls 62 and 63 which serve to set the creases in the already flattened plaits of the web.

As was stated in the first portion of the specification, the essential purpose of the invention is to produce plaits in webs of uniform character as distinguished from the irregular plaits obtained with prior art machines. In some cases it is possible to obtain satisfactory results by dispensing with the plait-flattening plates, and to employ in the intermediate stage between the corrugating mechanism and the pressing rolls means producing merely open creased plaits which can be flattened down as well as set in the final compression stage. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5. The corrugating mechanism illustrated again involves upper and lower sets of traveling belts I2 and 13, which pass over terminal shives l4 and 75. The mechanism for forming the creased plaits in the web comprising creasing rolls 46a and. 49a as in Fig. 6. If desired, guide plates may be employed between shives T4 and 1'5 and the creasing rolls to prevent the corrugating web from spreading during transit between the two operating stages. Again, the arrangement of creasing rolls in Figs. '7 and 8, according to which the upper and/or lower set of corrugating belts may be extended to pass over the creasing rolls, may be substituted. M V i Located immediately beyond the creasing rolls is a pair of coacting press rolls 16 and 11. Because of the alternate arcuate and rectangular form of plaits produced in the web by the creasing rolls, the compression exerted by the press rolls will serve to readily flatten out the plaits to the form shown in Fig. 1, and at the same time set the creases into permanent flat plaits.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9. As in the machine of Fig. 5 only creasing rolls areutilized in the preliminary formation of the plaits. The creasing rolls are designated by the numerals 46b and 49b to which the corrugating belts are extended as in the arrangement of Fig. 8. The particular feature of thepresent embodiment resides in the arrangement or the press rolls "[8 and 19. The upper press roll 18 is mounted at its opposite ends on arms 80 pivotally supported on the machine frame in a position to simultaneously contact with the lower creasing roll 4% and the lower press roll 19. A spring BI is provided to maintain the desired. contact. With such arrangement the creased web is engaged by the upper press roll 18 as it is carried around the lower creasing roll 49b. The web will thus be pressed from its upper side alone so as to substantially fully flatten the plaits before being simultaneously pressed from both sides as its enters between rolls l8 and 19.

With any of the various embodiments of my invention here illustrated and described it is possible, in a continuous operation, to transform a fiat web of fibrous material into a uniformly plaited elastic web in flat form by three operating stages. In any case the mechanism employed is relatively simple and so constructed as to operate efficiently and without danger of rupturing or otherwise injuring the web.

I claim:

1. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving web of fibrous material, corrugating means adapted to produce in the web longitudinal corrugations of curved crosssection, forming elements adapted to reform the web into adjacent alternate longitudinal corrugations of rectangular cross-section and corrugations of curved cross-section, and following means for converting the web into flat plaits.

2. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving web of fibrous material, corrugating means adapted to produce in the web longitudinal corrugations of curved cross-section, forming elements adapted to form in the web alternate longitudinal corrugations of rectangular cross-section in alternation with similarly facing corrugations of curved cross-section, and means for flattening the corrugations of curved cross-sections to convert the web into flattened plaits.

3. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving web of fibrous material, means for forming longitudinal corrugations of curved cross-section in the web during the course of movement, a coacting pair of forming and creasing rolls following the corrugating means, one of said rolls having a series of peripherally extending forming elements of rectangular cross-section spaced from and alternating with forming elements of convex cross-section, the other roll having a series of peripheral recesses alternating with elements of concave cross-section which coact respectively with the rectangular and convex forming elements of the first roll to form in the web alternate creased corrugations of rectangular and curved cross-section, and means for flattening the web into flat plaits.

4. In a machine for forming pleated sheet material from a moving fibrous web, mechanism for forming in the moving web a series of longitudinal corrugations, a coacting pair of opposing forming and creasing rolls acting on the web after passing through the corrugating mechanism, one of said rolls being formed with alternate closely spaced peripheral ribs of rectangular and convex cross-sections, the other roll being provided with alternate recessed elements of rectangular and concave cross-sections coactive with the respective complementary ribs of the first roll, and means following said pair of rolls for flattening the web.

5. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving fibrous web, coacting sets of traveling belts adapted to form in a web carried therebetween adjacent corrugations extending in the direction of movement of the web. a coacting pair of opposing rolls, a series of spaced peripheral forming ribs on one of such rolls and a complementary series of spaced recesses on the other roll coactive therewith, a series of pulley shives on the first roll alternating with the forming ribs and about which the traveling belts of one of the sets pass, forming elements on the second roll alternating with the recesses and coacting with the belts on the first roll, and means for flattening the web after it passes through the pair of rolls.

6. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving fibrous web, coacting sets of traveling belts adapted to form in a web carried therebetween adjacent corrugations extending in the direction of movement of the web, a coacting pair of opposing rolls, a series of spaced peripheral forming ribs of rectangular cross-section on one of said rolls and a complementary series of spaced rectangular recesses on the other roll coactive therewith, a series of forming ribs of convex cross-section on the first r011 alternating with the forming ribs of rectangular crosssection and a series of complementary elements of concave cross-section on the second roll alternating with the rectangular recesses, pulley grooves in the rectangular recesses of the second roll carrying the traveling belts of one of said sets, and means for flattening the web after passing through the pair of rolls.

7. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving fibrous web, coacting sets of traveling belts adapted to form in a web carried therebetween adjacent corrugations extending in the direction of movement of the web, a coacting pair of opposing rolls, a series of spaced peripheral forming ribs of rectangular cross-section on one of said rolls, a series of pulley shives on said roll spaced between and alternating with said ribs and carrying the traveling belts of one of the corrugating belts sets around said roll, a series of spaced peripheral recesses of rectangular cross-section on the second roll coacting with the ribs on the first roll, pulley grooves in the bot toms of said recesses carrying the traveling belts of the other corrugating belt set around the second roll, a series of spaced peripheral forming elements of concave cross-section on the second roll alternating with the rectangular recesses and coacting with the traveling belts on the first roll, and means for flattening the web after passing through the pair of rolls.

8. In a machine for forming plaited sheet material from a moving flat fibrous web, mechanism for forming in the moving web a series of similar longitudinal corrugations, a coacting pair of opposing forming rolls acting on the web after passing through the corrugating mechanism, said rolls carrying coacting peripherally extending forming elements adapted to reform the previously corrugated web into alternate adjacent creased longitudinal channels of rectangular cross-section and of curved cross-section, respectively, and a pair of smooth press rolls adapted to fold and set the web in flat plaits, one of said press rolls being mounted in rolling contact with one of the forming rolls at a point between the respective points of contact of the pair of forming rolls and the pair of press rolls.

WILLIAM H. CANNARD. 

